Device for repairing runs in fabrics



Feb. 19, 1952 Filed Aug. 18, 1947 M. H. P. SOLOGAISTOA DEVICE FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN FABRICS IN VEN TOR: Manual H- 1:' er' E z Enln 5| alato a,

Patented Feb. 119, 1952 UNITED STATESv PATENT oFFicE DEVICE FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN FABRICS Manuel Humberto Prez Sologaistoa, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Application August 18,*1947, 4Serial No. 769,238

mounted in an exposed position on a manipulating handle. rlhey are delicate in construction and, as they are exposed, are subject to injury While being handled or transported or if stored with other objects when not in use. They are also inconvenient to carryfor emergency use. The latches used on such needles are often inefcient in operation and liable to get out of order or to cause injury to the fabric being Worked.

One object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which embodies a novel construction of needle mechanism adapting it for efficient use in repairing very delicate fabrics, such as sheer stocking fabrics or other like fabrics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having means for regulating the action of the spring controlling the barb pair device embodying my invention and shown as employed in connection with a casing having propelling means for projecting and retracting the needle and showingl the needle projected for use;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the device shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the repair device per se removed from the casing.-

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the same, showing the latch in closed position.

Figures 5, 6 and 'l are cross-sections taken,

A respectively, on the lines 5-5, 6-6 and 1-1 of of the needle whereby its sensitiveness of action Y may be varied as desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character Whichfmay be used in hand knitting, crocheting and other similar Work.

Still another object of the invention is to proto be mounted in a carrying case or holder simulating that of a propelling pencil and having propelling mechanism so that the needle may be projected for use and when not in use may be retracted so as to be within the casing and be protected from injury.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be mounted in a carrying case or holder simulating that of a fountain pen, so that when not in use the needle may be enclosed in the cap of the holder and protected thereby from injury.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a repair device including manipulating means for projecting and retracting the needle, and which serves as an ornamental article of utility which may be readily carried in a pocket or in a tool case or hand bag for ready use as occasion requires.

The invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed,

' vide a device of this character which is adapted and as shown in the accompanying drawing, in y Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a view showing the repair device as used in connection with a casing simulating that of a fountain pen, the casing appearing partly in section, and also showing a modification in the construction of the handle.

Figure 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the repair device shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 of a re pair device in which a closure cap is used at the rear end of the handle.

Figure l1 is a view illustrating the use of the device in a repair operation.

The repair device per se comprises a tubular handle or holder l within the forward end of which is mounted the inner end of a longitudinally channeled needle bar or shank 2 carrying at its outer end a hooked needle 3. Slidably mounted in the channeled shank 2 is a plunger 4 provided at its outer end with a rounded protuberance, barb or latch 5 for cooperation with the needle in a repair operation. The plunger 4 is limited in its outward or needle closing movement by a stop shoulder 6 on the shank and is provided at its inner end with a reduced and elongated rod or stem portion l threaded at its rear end 3. On this rod or stem is fitted an abutment disk or member 9 which engages the rear end of the shank 2 and may be fixed to the shank or frictionally held against movement in the casing i. Mounted on the threaded end 8 of the stem l is an adjusting sleeve or nut ill, and arranged about the stem between the disk 9 and nut i@ is a spirally coiled compression or expansion spring H. This spring is preferably disposed and conned about the stem between the disk and nut and normally holds the barbed end of the plunger out of contact with the shoulder 6 or open but permits forward movement of the plunger for movement of barb 5 to needle closing position in a knitting or fabric repair action. By adjustment of the nut Ill the pressure of the spring on the nut may be regulated to a nicety to adapt the barb to yield under the pressure of threads of different degrees of neness, to suit the character 3 of the work being done and to prevent injury to even the most delicate threads. Regulation of the pressure of the spring on the nut also adapts the plunger to be adjusted to vary the open position of the barb and resistance of the spring to barb closing movement and thereby adapt the device to operate on coarse threads'or threads of different diameters in repairingdifferent kinds of hosiery or other knitted`fabrics1andjin doing various kinds of knitting and rcrochet work. The rear end of the handle I is'preferably closed by a closure member I2 which may be or any suitable type. In the present instance the closure member is shown inthe form of a plug which extends beyondthe handle and is provided with a projection I3. Thisrplug'nse'rves as a stop engageable by the rear end ofI the stem 'l to limit the opening movement of the latch plunger 4. The device as thus farY described provides a repair device of simplest form which may be used without a carrying case if desired, and which is adapted to be held and manipulated by means of the handle I. Fig. 4 shows the latch in its closed position, in which the rear'end of the stem 'l lies in advance of the stop4 I2`and the barb 5 engages the point of the needle 3. This is a desirable position in which said parts may be disposed when the repaindevice is not in use, for

' provided with propelling means.

example, when the device is packed for storage or transportation, .or lis displayed for sale on a shop counter or ina display case, as the barb 5 will protect the needle point from injury by contact with extraneous objects and while the device is being handled by a salesman when removing t from or'returning it to the display case. In adjusting orsetting the device for use in a repair operation'from the position shown in Figure 4, the operator, while holding'the handle I in one hand, grasps 'the forward part of the needle bar 2 in his other hand and withdraws the needle bar 2 and component parts of the needle assembly from the handle I and, while holding the bar and latch plunger 4 from movement, adjusts the nut I to compress the spring II toa desired degree, so that, on the operator releasing the plunger 4 and nut I0, the spring will expand and in so doing will slide the shank 4 rearwardly to shift the barb to and hold itin an open position. By adjusting the nut to different degrees the spring may be compressed when disposed in the position shown in Fig. 4 to vary the open position of the latch for fine or coarse-thread work and to vary the resistance of the spring to the closing movement of the latch by thread pressure. The same results in adjusting the latch to open position may be obtained by holding the bar 2 stationary while the latch plunger 4 is left free for rearward' movement by the spring II when the nut I0 is adjusted in the manner described. When the latch is adjusted to dispose the barb 5 in the desired working position for use in a repair operation, the needle assembly may be reinserted in the handle I, or used without the handle as a complete repair device. The provision of the plug I2 with its projection I3 also adapts the device to be used in connection with an outer enclosing casing and propelling means actuable thereby to project the needle bar andlatch beyond the casing for use and to retract the same to lie within the casing so that the needle vand latch will be protected from injury when The mode' of use of the device in any of its disclosed forms is shown in Figure ll and will be readily understood by those versed in the art. In repairing a run in a fabric, for example, the needle end of the device. is inserted at a proper point through a loop a in the fabric A so as to bring the loop behind the barb 5, whereupon the device is withdrawn to engage the needle 3 with another lo'op a', which slides over the barb and intov the needle, and the loop a is then drawn through the loop a to form a tie, and so on from loop to loop until the run is repaired.

Figures l and 2 show the repair device as used in connection with an outer casing or holder I4 As illustrated, this holder comprises a main tubular casing section I5 and a conical front section or tip I6 formed independently thereoiwhich parts may be made of metal,hard rubber, a'suitable plastic material, or any desired combination of such materials. Section I5 may be suitably closed at its rear end and provided with a clip I1 whereby the device may be secured in a pocket of the wearer when so carried. Y

Disposed within the section I5 is an outer sleeve I8 having an enlarged forward end portion, which is threadedly engaged with or otherwisesecured to the forward end of the casing section I5, as shown at I9, whereby the section I5 and sleeve IB are coupled for rotary motion in unison. This sleeve I8 is provided'with a spiral slot 20. A second or inner sleeve 2| is disposed within the sleeve I8 and extends therethrough and has its forward end frictionally tted in a counter-bore 22 of the tip I6. The sleeve 2I is provided in its sides tothe rear of this point with guide slots 23 and is formed at its rear end with outbent lugs 23. One or more washers 24 are tted upon the rear end of the sleeve 2I between said lugs and the rear end of the sleeve I8 and form a bearing, held in place by the lugs, against which the rear end of the sleeve I8 turns when rotated. The tip I6 is formed in advance of the counterbore with a bore 25. The forward end of the sleeve 2| instead of being frictionally lfitted in the counter-bore 22 may be otherwise suitably secured to the tip I6.

The repair device I is adapted to be applied to the casing I4 shown in Figures l and 2 to provide a tool in which the device I is enclosed and concealed within the casing I4 when not in use and whereby its needle part may be projected for use and retracted at will. In applying the device I and associated sleeves I8 and 2I to the outer casing or holder I4, the unit I and sleeves I8 and I9 are first assembled in an obvious manner and tted in the casing section I6 as shown in Fig. 2, after which the casing section I5 is tted in position and secured at its forward end as indicated at I9 to the sleeve I8. Relative sizes and arrangement of these parts are such that when the needle is projected for use the needle and a portion of its shank will lie in advance of the tip I6, while when the needle is retracted the needle and a portion of its shank will lie within the tip I6 and will thus be'protected from injury. When the parts are assembled it will be evident that the device I will be connected with the sleeve 2I for straight line travel outwardly and inwardly, in which it is guided by engagement of the projection I3 with the slot 23, which outward or inward travel maybe 'caused by rotation of the casing section I5' and sleeve I8 'in one direction or the other whereby the projection I3 will be moved longitudinally in one' direction or theother by engagement .with the walls of the spiral slot 20. In eifecting this outward or inward movement of the device the tip I6 Vis held fixed in one hand of the operator while the other hand of the operator is used to rotate the casing section l5, whereby the lsleeve I8 will be rotated therewith, as will be readily understood.

Figures 8 and 9 show another manner in which the device may be used in connection with aprotective casing le. Here'the casing is composed of a body section I5' and a detachable cap section I6' having a slip-joint connection therewith. The forward end of the body section l5 has a por; tion 26 formed with a bore 21 in which theforward end of the handle or holder l is fitted with the needle and its shank projecting into the cap section IG when the latter is applied to the section i5'. Thus when the cap section is removed the needle will be exposed for use and the casing section may be employed as anopera-ting handle, while when the cap section is'applie'd the needle will be enclosed and protected from injury. Figure 8 also shows a modified form 'of the handle l which is closed at its rear end by an integral end portion l2. The tool shown'in Figure l simulates in its closed condition a fountain pen and may be transported on the person or otherwise with the same convenience. This end of the handle is also provided with a projection I3' adapting the device to be used with a casing having a propelling mechanism in the same manner as the arrangement shown in Figures l and 2.

Figure 1 0 shows another modification in which the rear end of the handle la is closed by a cap |221, which may be employed in a simple form of the device not designed for use with an enclosing casing and which permits of the use of a han dle in the form of a normally open-ended tube. However, such end of the handle may be vclosed in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4, and either the end of the tube or the closure cap may be provided with a projection adapting the device for use in the manner shown in Figures l and 2.

From the foregoing description, taken in lconnection with the drawing, the construction and mode of operation of my fabric repair device will be readily understood and its advantagesv appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extended description. While the constructions disclosed are preferred, it will, of course, be understood Vthat changes in the form, arrangement and proportion of parts vmay be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I`claim:

1. The combination with a casing having a propelling mechanism therein including a stationary sleeve having a guide slot 'and "a rotatable sleeve having a spiral slot, said rotatable sleeve being rotatable by a part ofthe casing, of a fabric repair device including a needle bar slidably fitted in the stationary sleeve, a needle carried thereby, a reciprocatory latch on the needle bar for closing and opening the needle, said latch being movable to closed position by thread pressure, a compression spring for moving the latch to open position, adjusting means on the needle bar for compressing the spring and varying its compression, and a projection on said tube engaging said slots in said sleeves and operable by said rotary sleeve to project and retract the needle.

2. A fabric repair device comprising a needle holder, a supporting means for the holder in which the holder is slidably mountedand adapted to be received, said supporting means including a part adapted to be held fixed and apart adapted to be rotated, a needle bar carried by the holder, a needle carried thereby, a reciprocatory latch on the bar for closing and opening the needle, said latch being movable to closed position by thread pressure, a compression spring on the bar for moving the latch to open position, adjusting means on the bar for compressing the spring and varying its compression, and means operable by the'rotation of the rotary part for sliding the holder outward .and inward to project and retract the needle.

3. A fabric repair device comprising a stationary sleeve having a gripping portion, a holder slidably mounted in the stationary sleeve, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the stationary sleeve, a tubular enclosing casing forming an operating handle engaged at its forward end with the ro tatable sleeve in rear of the gripping portion oi the stationary sleeve and whereby rotary motion may be transmitted to the vrotary sleeve, a needle bar slidably mounted in the stationary sleeve, a needle carried by said bar and movable therewith so as to be projectible beyond and retractible Within the stationary sleeve, a latch slidable on the bar for movements toward land from the needle, whereby the needle may be closed and opened, said latch being closable by thread presu sure, a spring for 'normally holding the needle open and resisting its closing movement, means for varying the action of the spring, land a ino-- tion transmitting connection between the rotary sleeve and holder whereby the needle bar and needle may be projected Iand retracted by reverse rotary movements of the casing.

4. A fabric repair -device comprising a rotatable handle, a needle bar `slidable in and out of the handle and provided with a hook, a sliding latch member on the bar having a thread engaging and hook closing projection, a spring for retracting said latch member, means for varying the retractive force of the spring, and means operable by rotation of the handle for projectn ing and retracting the needle bar.

5. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a holder, a stationary needle bar carried by the holder, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a latch slidably mounted on the bar for forward and rearward vmovements toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or open the needle for access of thread thereto, said latch having a rearwardly Aextending stem portion arranged within the holder, a compression spring Vnormally maintaining the latch in open position and resisting its movement to needle opening movement under thread pressure, said spring being disposed about the stem portion of the latch, and adjus" means on said stem for compressing the spring to vary the resistance of the -spring to closing movement of the latch.

6. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a holder, a needle bar carried by and projecting at its forward end from the holder, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, an abutment surface being provided within the holder at the rear of the bar, a sliding latch en the bar for alternately closing and opening access of thread to the needle and adapted to be moved by thread pressure in one direction, said hatch having a stem portion projecting into the holder beyond said abutment surfaces, a compression spring arranged about the stem and bearing at one end against said abutment surface, and an adjusting nut on the stem bearing on the opposite end of the spring for varying the compression of the springend-latch being movable to open position by thread pressure and to closed position by expansion of the spring.

7. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a holder, a needle bar carried by and projecting at its forward end from the holder, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a latch slidable on the bar toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or to admit access of thread thereto, an

' abutment in the holder at the rear of the needle bar, the latch being movable to closed position by thread pressure and having a stem projecting rearwardly through said abutment, a compression spring disposed about the stem and bearing at one end against said abutment, said latch being movable to open position by expansion of the spring, and means on the stem for varying the compression of the spring.

8. A fabric knitting or repair device unit comprising a holder, a needle bar carried by and projecting at its forward end beyond the holder, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a latch mounted on the bar for forward and rearward movement toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or open the needle for access of thread thereto, a spring within the holder for normally maintaining the latch in open position and resisting its movement to needle closing position under thread pressure, means for varying the resistance of the spring to closing movement of the latch, and a projection on said holder adapting it for cooperation with a spiral type propelling means in a casing having operating means therefor whereby said unit may be mounted with such propelling means in the casing for projection and retraction of the needle.

9. A fabric repair device comprising a stationary sleeve having a gripping portion, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the stationary sleeve, a tubular enclosing casing forming an operating handle engaged at its forward end with the rotary sleeve in rear of the gripping portion of the stationary sleeve and whereby rotary motion may be transmitted to the rotary sleeve, a holder slidably mounted in the stationary sleeve, a needle bar carried by the holder and movable therewith so as to be projectable beyond and retractable within the sleeve, a sliding latch on the bar for opening and closing the needle, said latch being movable to closed position by thread pressure, a compression spring on the bar for closing the latch, an adjusting means on said bar for variably compressing the spring, and a motion transmitting connection between the rotary sleeve and holder whereby the needle bar and needle may be projected and retracted by reverse rotary movements of the casing.

l0. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a needle bar, a movable latch on the bar for alternately opening and closing access oi thread to the needle and adapted to be moved by thread pressure in its closing direction, a cornpression spring arranged to exert its expansive force on the latch for moving the latch in its opening direction and resisting movement of the latch in its closing direction under thread pressure, and means for variably compressing said spring to variably adjust the open position of the latch and vary the resistance of the spring to its movement under thread pressure.

11. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a holder, a needle bar carried by the holder, a hooked needle carried by the bar, a latch slidable on the bar toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or to admit access of thread thereto, the latch being movable to closed position by thread pressure, a compression spring for moving the latch to open position and resisting movement of the latch to closed position by thread pressure, said spring being adapted to be compressed in a closed position of the latch and operative when compressed to shift the latch to and hold it in a predetermined open position, and adjusting means for compressing the spring to vary the open position of the latch and the resistance of the spring to the closing movement of the latch by thread pressure.

12. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a needle bar, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a latch mounted on the bar for movement toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or open the needle for access of thread thereto, and controlling means for the latch including abut-- ments thereon, one adjustable relative to the latch and a compression spring arranged on the,

latch, between said abutments and exerting pressure on the adjustable abutment to normally maintain the latch in open position and resist its movement to needle opening position under thread pressure, said adjustable abutment being operable for varying the resistance of the spring to the closing movement of the latch.

l3. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a needle bar, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a movable latch on the bar for alternately closing the needle against and opening it for access of thread thereto and adapted to be moved by thread pressure to closed position, said latch having an extension beyond the rear end of the needle bar, a coiled compression spring on said extension for moving the latch to open position and resisting its movement to closed position under thread pressure, and means on said extension for adjusting the spring to vary its resistance to the closing movement of the latch under thread pressure.

14. A fabric knitting or repair device comprising a needle bar, a hooked needle at the forward end of the bar, a latch slidable forwardly and rearwardly on the bar toward and from the needle to close the needle against the access of thread or to admit access of thread thereto, the

latch being normally open and movable to closed position by thread pressure and forming a reducted extension projecting beyond the rear end of the needle bar, and latch controlling means mounted on the latch extension and comprising a compression spring arranged to exert its expansive energy in a rearward direction for holding the latch in open position and resisting movement of the latch to closed position by thread pressure, and an adjusting device for compressing the spring to vary its resistance to the opening movement of the latch under thread pressure.

MANUEL HUMBERTO PREZ SOLOGAISTOA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,744,240 Neivins Jan. 21, 1930 1,811,524 Vitoux June 23, 1931 2,271,483 Johnson Jan. 27, 1942 2,272,915 Kelley Feb. 10, 1942 2,415,111 Runcie Feb. 4, 19,47 

